Hilton Credit Card Review

There are actually four different Hilton HHonors credit cards but which one is best … if any? (updated for 2016)

An unusual aspect of the Hilton HHonors cards is that they are provided by two different issuers – Citi and American Express (a CreditCardForum advertising partner) – and have a total of four variations. Below is a brief review of each offer…

Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature card

The offer for the Hilton HHonors Visa Signature is unavailable. The following information is for comparison purposes only.

This card has no annual fee and the best acceptance, since it’s a Visa.

Rewards:

2 Hilton HHonors points per dollar on regular spending

3 points per dollar at all grocery stores, drugstores and gas stations

American Express Hilton HHonors card

5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, US gas stations, US supermarkets

7 points per dollar at Hilton Hotels

Noteworthy Benefits: Complimentary HHonors Silver status

American Express Hilton HHonors Surpass card

This card has a $75 annual fee.

Rewards:

3 Hilton HHonors points per dollar on regular spending

6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations

12 points per dollar at Hilton Hotels

Noteworthy Benefits:
Complimentary Gold status, an annual Priority Pass membership for airport lounge access (the membership is a $99 value, but you still have to pay $27 per person, per visit)

Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card

The offer for the Hilton HHonors Reserve is unavailable. The following information is for comparison purposes only.

This card has a $95 annual fee.

Rewards:

10 points per dollar at Hilton Hotels worldwide

5 points per dollar for airlines and car rental agencies

3 Hilton HHonors points per dollar on regular spending

Noteworthy Benefits:
Complimentary Gold VIP status as long as you have the card, anniversary bonus of one free weekend night every membership year you spend at least $10,000 on the card, no foreign transaction fees, EMV chip.

Which Hilton card is best for me?

Between the no-annual-fee cards, the American Express Hilton HHonors credit card appears is a better choice because it gives more rewards on regular spending and on gas/grocery/drugstores. Of course a possible downside is that American Express is less accepted than Visa (so at the end of the day, you may earn fewer points with the AmEx, depending on where you shop).

The most lucrative Hilton credit card offer in terms of rewards would have to be the new Reserve card from Citi. Its annual fee is $20 more than the AmEx Hilton HHonors Surpass. However, considering that Citi lets you earn a free weekend night every year, so you can be the judges as to whether that justifies the hgiher fee or not.

Are there alternatives I should consider?

At first glance all of the offers sound great, but you have to determine the redemption value of the HHonors points, which are often less than half a cent – sometimes significantly less. This is why they can justify awarding so many points on spending.

While Hilton is a great hotel brand, before applying one of their reward cards it is recommended that you review our listing of hotel reward cards, as there are others that might give you more earning or redemption value, depending on your spending habits and hotel brand preferences.

The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Here is what happens to your points….my father passed away two weeks ago. He and my mother had cards, he was the primary holder. They cancelled her card (had her name on it) and TOOK BACK ALL THE POINTS THEY HAD EARNED TOGETHER!

The Citibank Hilton Honors travel insurance doesn’t offer much. The only thing that is covered is transportation if you were physically unable to take it. So if you have an accident and have to cancel or interrupt your trip, you get reimbursed only for travel where you can prove you are physically unable to take. Not really ‘trip interruption’ coverage as they advertise…

As a Marriott Rewards Gold member, I have executive lounge access at all Marriott properties with a lounge. It isn’t clear that Gold status with Hilton Honors gives the same access. It’s seems a little fuzzy in their literature.

Hilton Honors Gold status is good but it doesn’t automatically provide access to exec level/lounge. That said, I’ve never been turned down when I’ve requested access when checking into a Hilton property. I like the Hilton program better than Marriott but have not had Marriott Rewards program in many years.

I have been an AX Hilton Honors Card holder for many years. I have done my research and based on my situation (retired and a few trips a year) this is the best card. However, for it to work, you must use it for everything possible.

Friends

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